Is saucy a polite word?

Usually, no. It can sound playful, but it still suggests mild rudeness or teasing.

What is the difference between saucy and cheeky?

Cheeky is more common and casual. Saucy can sound a little more old-fashioned or flirtatious.

Can saucy describe food?

Yes. It can mean the food has a lot of sauce or a rich sauce.

Is saucy used in formal writing?

Not often. It is more common in spoken English, stories, and informal writing.

← Dictionary

saucy

/ˈsɔː.si/

IELTSAcademic

adjective

Saucy means rude in a playful, cheeky, or boldly impolite way. It can also describe food with a strong, tasty sauce.

She gave him a saucy smile.
That comment was a bit saucy.
The pasta was rich and saucy.

Adinary Nuance

Saucy is close to cheeky, rude, and impudent, but it is often lighter and more playful than rude or impudent. Compared with cheeky, it can sound a little more old-fashioned or suggestive. In food writing, saucy usually means covered with or full of sauce, not bold at all.

In other languages

Vietnamese: láu lỉnh
Spanish: descarado
Chinese: 放肆的
Japanese: 生意気な
Korean: 건방진

Etymology

Saucy comes from the noun 'sauce', first used in Middle English. The sense changed from 'seasoned' to 'bold' and then to 'impudent or cheeky'.

Common phrases

a saucy remarka saucy smilesaucy languagesaucy little number

Synonyms

cheeky impudent rude bold

Related words

sauce flirtatious cheek sarcastic

Frequently asked questions

Is saucy a polite word?: Usually, no. It can sound playful, but it still suggests mild rudeness or teasing.
What is the difference between saucy and cheeky?: Cheeky is more common and casual. Saucy can sound a little more old-fashioned or flirtatious.
Can saucy describe food?: Yes. It can mean the food has a lot of sauce or a rich sauce.
Is saucy used in formal writing?: Not often. It is more common in spoken English, stories, and informal writing.